Earlier this month, a team from the World Bank visited the island to gain firsthand insights into the progress of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project.
In addition to meeting with the project team and officials from the Ministry of the Public Service, including the Permanent Secretary, the World Bank team visited the Vide Bouteille Primary School, which features one of the 20 smart classrooms provided by the project. Lyrill Arthur-Stanislaus, Principal of the Vide Bouteille Primary School, highlighted that the smart classroom has enabled teachers to implement innovative teaching methods, offering students new and engaging learning experiences.
“After we were hit with COVID we were introduced to such a different world and we recognized the need to put things in place not only for students who are present on the compound but also for students who for whatever reason cannot be at school. So, with this smart classroom, we can reach every single child no matter where they are. We are so thankful that we were able to get this donation from the World Bank. It is something that opens up so many doorways for us. It also gives us the ability to reach out to our students with special needs to give them the online tools that they need to make learning better for them.”
Accompanying the team to the live demonstration of the smart classroom was Anthony Avril, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association. Avril noted that this donation will significantly ease the challenges faced by students with varying needs, as they can now be accommodated directly at the school.
“Instead of having to bus the children back to the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association when we know they are being accommodated right within their classroom and within their schools and of course we can then focus on moving to the next level.”
“I think that’s something we learned today and it’s a very important agenda for inclusion.”
Marolla Haddad, Senior Digital Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project expressed her delight at witnessing the project’s transformative impact on the school environment and the enhanced learning experiences it has created.
“It’s really marvelous. I mean we go and come to visit and speak to the government and to our counterpart but there is nothing like being in the classroom and seeing the challenge. I mean we were challenged and it’s not easy to follow on these tablets. So it’s good also to see what other students are experiencing in the smart classroom. I think one of the most touching things is that this is used to cater to different needs.”
The team also visited the Innovation Lab at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, which is set to benefit from the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project. The World Bank team commended the local project team for the significant progress made thus far, while also highlighting the remaining work to be completed before the project’s conclusion in 2026.